Talking to undergrads

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Talking to undergrads about bargaining

Sample questions from undergrads

Talking to undergrads about bargaining

How to use this script: Take a few minutes at the beginning or end of your lecture, class or tutorial to read this script – or your own version – to introduce your students to CUPE 3903 and the bargaining process. The objective is to show students that the union supports them and that unions improve the quality of their education at York. Direct them to betterYork.ca for more information.

My name is ____________________ and I am a member of CUPE 3903, Unit _____.

CUPE 3903 is the union that represents contract faculty, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and research assistants at York University. We have almost 3,700 members all across campus.

Unit 1 members are full-time graduate students (usually PhD students) who teach part time, mostly as teaching assistants.

Unit 2 members are full- and part-time teachers or instructors, mostly contract faculty. Unit 2 members are not students.

Unit 3 members are full-time graduate students (usually Master students) who research part time, mostly as graduate or research assistants.

Like you, we are concerned about rising tuition fees and student debt; education funding cuts; racism and discrimination in the university; and threats to safety on campus.

All of these problems affect the quality of your education at York. And we want to do something about it.

We believe a better York is possible.

We believe in accessible, high quality education for all students, a fair and equitable workplace, and a safe and healthy campus.

As education workers, we bring these demands to the bargaining table when we negotiate a new contract with the university. On August 31, our contract expired. At the moment, we are negotiating a new contract, and we want a fair deal for everyone.

When we negotiate to improve our working conditions, we are also negotiating to improve your learning conditions – and the quality of your education at York.

For example, improving our job security gives us more time to develop and teach high quality courses.

Creating fair and equitable hiring processes helps make the workforce as diverse and as representative as you are.

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Upcoming Events

The bargaining team for CUPE 3903 Units 1, 2, and 3 will be meeting with the employer and the conciliator to negotiate new collective agreements. There will be food and coffee. Come when you can, if only for half an … Continue reading →

All members are welcome to attend and speak at executive committee meetings. Only executive committee members may vote. This is the meeting at which the executive committee will pro tem an interim Chairperson and VP Unit 3. If you have … Continue reading →

Following an 85% Strike Mandate Vote, the Bargaining Mobilization Committee (BMC) has become the Strike Committee (SC). SC is tasked with the logistics of preparing for a strike. The SC, as per the bylaws, includes members of the BMC, executive committee, … Continue reading →

We’ve bargained for almost five months, and notwithstanding a few agreements, York is still trying to force concessions. With a Final Offer deadline tentatively scheduled for the beginning of March, Strike Committee is holding Picket Training for all 3903 members … Continue reading →

The bargaining team for CUPE 3903 Units 1, 2, and 3 will be meeting with the employer and the conciliator to negotiate new collective agreements. There will be food and coffee. Come when you can, if only for half an … Continue reading →